Building panel system



Nov. 1-8, 1969 N 3,479,073

BUILDING PANEL SYSTEM Filed Feb. 16. 1966 12 12; 7 10 Fig.1

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United States Patent Ofiice 3,479,073 Patented Nov. 18, 1969 3,479,073BUILDING PANEL SYSTEM Howard W. Collins, Armco Steel Corporation,Middletown, Ohio 45042 Filed Feb. 16, 1966, Ser. No. 527,881 Int. Cl.F16b 1/00, 5/00, 7/00 US. Cl. 287189.36 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE This invention relates to a building panel system, and moreparticularly to such a system including metal panel members which coactwith formed metal structural members to form interior or exterior wallsystems, ceilings, etc.

Metal buildings and panel systems are of course old per se. According toconventional practice, a metal panel system will include a plurality ofrelatively thin panel members joined in edge to edge relationship. Thepanels as joined will then be secured to a suitable supporting structureas by bolting or the like. This of course means that at leastsemi-skilled workers are necessary for the erection of such a panelsystem.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a metalbuilding panel system wherein adjacent edges of a pair of panel membersfit together as described in more detail hereinafter and wherein astructural member will snap into place, coacting with the joined edgesof the panel members to provide a secure joint.

Specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a panelsystem wherein the adjacent panel members are provided withcomplementary interdigitating configurations whereby assembly requiresno rivets, bolts, welding, or special tools.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a panel systemwherein the various elements may be quickly assembled without the use ofspecial tools, and which, when assembled provide a tight, rigid, joint.

It is an object of this invention to provide a panel system in which theassembled joint is secure against disjointing due to loads applied fromany of three directions; specifically, the joint will remain secureagainst differential pressure applied normal to two adjacent panelfaces, against pulling forces parallel to the face of the panel andperpendicular to the seam, and against racking l0ads-the slipping ofadjacent panels longitudinally along the seam.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a building panelsystem in which all components are easily prefabricated by themanufacturer.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a panel systemin which the handling and shipping costs of the manufacturer arereduced, in that the panel members and coacting structural elements arethe only components which must be shipped, since no special fasteningsor fittings are required.

While the metal panel system and buildings have many advantages, it isgenerally believed that an all metal construction necessarily involvesan unusually high noise transmission factor. It is therefore stillanother object of this invention to provide a panel system which hasremarkably low acoustical transmission properties.

Numerous other objects and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent during the following descrip tion. Reference will be made fromtime to time to the accompaying drawings which illustrate a specificembodiment of the invention, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a cross sectional view showing the configuration of onepanel edge;

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view showing the complementary panel edge;

FIGURE 3 is a partial perspective view showing a portion of one of thestructural members of this invention; and

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view showing a pair of panel members and astructural member in their assembled position.

Briefly considered, this invention contemplates a panel system whereinadjacent panels are provided with complementary male and female edges,adapted to be placed in an interdigitating relationship. The preformedstructural member for the panel system of this invention is then snappedinto place between interdigitated portions of the adjacent panels, andserves to securely lock the adjacent panels in the assembled position.

FIGURES 1 and 2 show in cross section, and on an enlarged scale, thecomplementary male and female edge portions respectively of a pair ofadjacent panels. It Will be understood that the method or procedure forforming the edges disclosed does not form a part of this invention; therespective male and female edges may be formed by any known expedient.

' Referring to FIGURE 1, the wall portion of a panel member is indicatedat 10. One edge of the panel member is formed to include a tongue 11parallel to and offset from the wall portion 10 of the panel member. Theoffset portion is indicated in the FIGURE at 12. The outermost end ofthe tongue is folded back upon itself to provide the locking tab 13.

As seen 'in FIGURE 2, the opposite end of a wall or panel 10 will beformed to provide a generally U shaped channel opening toward this edgeof the panel member. The generally U Shaped channel includes a firstchannel wall 20 which is parallel and spaced apart from the wall portion10. It is believed that the separation 21 formed between the wallportion 10 and the first channel wall 20 at least in part accounts forthe remarkably low vibration transmission through the Wall. Thegenerally U shaped channel includes a second channel wall 22 which isgenerally parallel to and spaced from the first channel wall, and issecured thereto by means of the bottom channel portion 23. It will alsobe apparent that the free end of the second channel wall 22 is foldedback on itself to form the locking tab 24.

Preferably the panels will have gypsum board adhered to their insidesurface. This helps to keep the panel faces flat and stilt making themweighted or dampened diaphrams which do not tend to vibrate. Thestiffened centers sprung at the edges by the separation 21 provideextremely low noise transmission. It has been found that a system madeup of parallel panel walls with thermal insulation between will show asound transmission loss averaging 46 decibels for a frequency range ofto 4000 cycles per second. The gypsum board should be covered with metalfoil or some other vapor barrier to prevent warpage or deterioration dueto moisture absorption by the gypsum.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4, the formed structural member of thisinvention is indicated generally at 30. This structural member may takeon a wide variety of forms, depending upon the specific usagecontemplated. In any event, the structural member must be provided withthe flange 31 which is adapted to be inserted between interdigitatedportions of the male and female edges shown in FIGURES 1 and 2respectively. The flange portion 31 of the structural member is providedwith the oppositely extending projections 32 and 33. In the embodimentshown in the drawings, these projections are in the form of the D dents.It will of course be understood that other configurations ofperforations, dimples, or projections could be used.

FIGURE 4 shows the completed panel joint. The preferred sequence ofassembly is as follows. A suitable sealant or adhesive, if required, isplaced in the U shaped channel of the female edge, and the flange 31 ofthe structural member is inserted therein. Then the tongue 11 of themale edge of the next panel is inserted between the flange 31 of thestructural member and the channel Wall 20.

It will be seen that the outer surfaces of the adjacent panels aresubstantially flush. This slight groove occurring at the offset 12 canbe filled with a filling compound or the like if desired.

The sealant or adhesive used in the U shaped channel of the female edgemay serve several purposes. It can be used to seal the joint, making itair and water tight; it can act as an adhesive to increase theresistance to racking forces; and it can insure that the joint is fulland will not rattle when vibrated.

It will be seen in FIGURE 4 that when the male and female edges areplaced in the proper interdigitating relationship, the locking tabs 13and 24 will be directed toward the center of the resulting channel. Theflange portion 31 of the structural member is then snapped into theposition shown in FIGURE 4, at which time the pro jection 33 willcontact the locking tab 13, preventing withdrawal of the male edge,while the projection 32 will contact the locking tab 24, preventingwithdrawal of the female edge. As indicated earlier, this joint willremain secure against differential pressure applied normal to twoadjacent panel faces, against pulling forces parallel to the face of thepanel and perpendicular to the seam, and against racking loadstheslipping of adjacent panels longitudinally along the seam.

Various modifications may be made in the panel system of this invention,without departing from its scope and spirit.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A building panel system comprising:

two adjacent panels having interdigitating male and female edges,

said female edge being formed as a channel for receiving said male edgeand including, serially connected,

a first channel wall secured to the edge of said panel,

a bottom channel portion,

a second channel wall, disposed generally parallel to said first channelwall,

a. first locking tab projecting into said channel from said secondchannel wall,

said male edge including a tongue projecting into said channel and asecond locking tab projecting outwardly from said tongue, and

a support member having a planar portion disposed in said channelbetween said tongue and said second channel wall, said planar portionincluding projections extending out of the plane of said planar portionin opposite directions and engaging respectively said first and secondlocking tabs.

2. A building panel system according to claim 1 further comprising:

an adhesive disposed in said channel to resist racking forces.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,258,911 10/1941 Skoko 285424 X2,703,110 3/1955 Curtis 285-424 X 1,399,088 12/1921 Seymour 52-5822,189,159 2/1940 Anschicks 52-470 2,822,898 2/1958 Richards 52--4973,187,389 6/ 1965 Anderson.

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,391,568 1/1965 France.

RAMON S. BRITTS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

